Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo

This delightful walk from Cremorne to Taronga Zoo enjoys stunning harbour views and a number of sites to explore along bushland and suburban tracks. Starting from Cremorne ferry wharf, there is an option for a closer look at Robertsons Point lighthouse before continuing around Cremorne Reserve into Mosmans Bay. The walk continues through Little Sirius Bay, and offers the chance to visit historic Camp Curlew before finishing at the scenic Taronga Zoo wharf. A great way to enjoy a few hours exploring this beautiful harbour.

Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf

Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf marks the first stop on the Mosman Ferry Service. The wharf is home to Sophie’s Place cafe, serving coffee, food and drinks[1]. A public phone, public toilets and a children’s playground can all be found within 100m of this wharf. More info.

(0km) Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf → Sophies Lookout

40 m

1 mins

2m

-1m

Easy track

From the entrance to Cremorne Point Ferry Wharf, this walk crosses Milson Road to the base of the staircase on the other side of the road[2]. Here the walk turns right to head up the steps [3] past the lookout and monument to ‘Sophie Vaillant’[4] to an intersection[5] with a few other footpaths.

Sophies Lookout

This unofficial lookout takes in sweeping views across Sydney Harbour, over top of Cremorne Point Wharf and ‘Sophie’s Place’ cafe. The lookout is dedicated to Sophie Vaillant[6], long-term proprietor of the cafe below.

(0.04km) Sophies Lookout → Robertsons Point Lookout

200 m

3 mins

0m

-8m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath directly away from the house, heading towards the toilet block[7] and playground[8]. The path leads past this park area and heads into the bush, then passes a couple of information signs to find a concrete rock cairn, built for the ‘Clan of Donnachaidh’ in 1988[9] (each rock has its town of origin carved in it[10][11]). The walk then continues along the path past a picnic table (with views and some shade)[12] to find the lookout at Robertsons Point[13][14][15]. (There is a track with steps and ladder that continues further down to the very tip of the point[16] for the adventurous). At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Robertsons Point Lookout

Robertsons Point, also known as Cremorne Point, is home to Cremorne Reserve. At the very tip, visitors can wander down some old steps[17] to the lighthouse[18], and the more adventurous can continue down a rather precarious ladder[19] to the water’s edge. The spectacular harbour views can be enjoyed from a number of bench seats[20][21]. A memorial plaque[22] reminds visitors to take extra care and respect the inherent dangers of the rocky coast.

(0.04km) Sophies Lookout → Elephants Ear

370 m

7 mins

13m

-9m

Very easy

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the footpath, keeping the houses to your left (that is, use the footpath on the far side of the houses from the wharf and road)[23]. The footpath leads behind the houses, enjoying the water views (on your right) and after about â250m, the path leads past a ‘The Illustrated Sydney News’ information sign[24]. Here the walk continues for a short time further to a clear three-way intersection[25] and a drinking fountain[26].

Elephants Ear

The Lex and Ruby Graham Garden at Cremorne Point is quite remarkable, worthy of a little extra time on your walk. A chance planting of a tropical ‘Elephant’s Ear’ bulb in 1959, which happened to thrive, led to a lifetime work for Lex Graham and his future wife, Ruby. They worked steadily for decades, clearing weeds and rubbish, improving the soil and building up the gardens with donated plants and cuttings[27].

(0.41km) Elephants Ear → Mosman Bay Marina

1.2 km

25 mins

46m

-56m

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the main foreshore track, keeping the house to your left[28]. The path almost immediately passes the northern end of the signposted ‘Elephant’s Ear’[29] garden and continues past some other exotic gardens behind the houses, whilst keeping the water views to your right. After ≈200m, the path leads to an information sign[30][31]about the constructed environment and then to a clearing with a sandstone rotunda. There is a four-way intersection[32] just above the ‘Sydney Amateur Sailing Club’ (on your right).Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Old Cremorne Wharf’ sign[33] sign gently uphill along the path, keeping the water to your right. The path soon comes to another intersection where this walk tends right[34], following the path for about 120m (passing a few informal side tracks[35][36]) to find some large sandstone boulders[37] and the entrance to the ‘Old Cremorne’ Ferry Wharf[38][39].Turn left: From the Old Cremorne Ferry Wharf[40] entrance, this walk follows the footpath away from the power lines[41] keeping the water to your right[42]. The path leads up the hill and after ≈180m, the path heads up a set of steps. The path continues to enjoy water views[43][44] (to your right), passing behind a row of houses[45]. Soon the path bends left to pass a ‘Cremorne Point’ sign[46] and find a clear three-way intersection and a bench seat[47].Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the ‘Bromley Ave’ sign[48] along the footpath (not actually a road) between the row of houses to find a four-way intersection[49] at the last house, number five[50].Continue straight: From 5 Bromley Ave[51], this walk heads down the steps[52][53] and follows the path to cross the timber bridge[54] over the valley. The walk bends right and follows the path for ≈250m, enjoying the water views to your right[55]. The path then passes a ‘Harnett Park’ sign[56] (and ignores the upper track on your left), then heads down some steps and turns left. The walk heads past the ‘Rowers Restaurant’[57] to a car park and the Mosman Bay Marina[58].

Rowers Restaurant

Located deep in Mosmans Bay, the Rowers Restaurant is part of Mosman Rowers Club (distinct from Mosman Rowing Club at the Spit), between Mosman Marina and Sea Scouts Hall. Open to the public, the club houses a bistro, restaurant and bar, which are open for lunch and dinner daily, as well as breakfast on Sundays. For more information, call 9953 7966. More info.

(1.57km) Mosman Bay Marina → Mosman Bay Ferry Wharf

400 m

7 mins

7m

-6m

Very easy

Continue straight: From Mosman Bay Marina[59], this walk follows the waterside footpath, keeping the water to your right[60]. The path soon bends right to round to the apex of Mosmans Bay[61] opposite ‘Reid Park’[63] and a children’s playground[64]. Here the walk continues around the bay and after ≈110m, comes to a large rock[65] commemorating ‘H.M.S Sirius’[66]. The walk then continues ≈90m to the bush shelter[67] and the entrance to Mosman Bay Ferry Wharf[68].

(1.96km) Mosman Bay Ferry Wharf → South Mosman Wharf

610 m

14 mins

40m

-33m

Moderate track

Turn left: From Mosman Bay Ferry Wharf, this walk heads up the steps opposite the wharf, next to the ‘Mosman Wharf Store’[72]. This path continues up the hill and up some more steps[73], and then crosses a minor road and heads up a ramp[74]. Here the walk turns right and follows Mosman St[75]. Mosman St soon bends left (and becomes Trumfield Lane) which continues up the hill[76] to a ‘T’ intersection with McLeod St. This walk crosses McLeod St to find a driveway[77] (just a bit to the right) and turns left, following the steps and footpath up the hill[78]. This footpath soon leads to an intersection with Musgrave Street[79].Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads downhill along ‘Musgrave St’[80] towards the distant water views. At the end of the street, the walk comes to a turning area[81], bus stop, shelter[82] and the entrance to the ‘South Mosman Wharf’[83].

(2.57km) South Mosman Wharf → Curraghbeena Point

90 m

2 mins

18m

0m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the shelter at the entrance to South Mosman Wharf, this walk heads downhill to soon turn left and heads up the steps next to the ‘Exploring Curlew Camp Artists’ Walk’ sign[84]. Soon the walk turns right at the ‘T’ intersection[85] partway up the stairs then continues up ignoring the private property side paths to find the end of a short road[86]. Here the walk follows the road to the intersection with Raglan St and the ‘Curraghbeena Point Lookout’[87] in front of ‘The Castle’[88].

Curraghbeena Point Lookout

Curraghbeena Point separates Little Sirius Cove from Mosmans Bay (formerly Sirius Cove). This well-kept little park at the point offers some lovely views over Sydney Harbour, with two bench seats and a drinking fountain nestled amongst the buildings.

(2.66km) Curraghbeena Point → End of Curraghbeena Rd

400 m

9 mins

24m

-17m

Moderate track

Turn left: From ‘Curraghbeena Point Lookout’[89][90], this walk heads up the hill following Raglan Street soon passing ‘Herron Park’[91] (on your left) then just before the sandstone wall (on the right) this walk turn right into the sandstone driveway then follows the ‘Public Path’ sign[92] up the steps. At the top the path passes beside a house and then follows a short section of Raglan St to turn right into Curraghbeena Rd (near the playground[93] and park). Here the walk heads down Curraghbeena Rd passing a lookout (on your right)[94][95] and continues down the road to the very end where there is an intersection with a walking track and steps[96].

(3.07km) End of Curraghbeena Rd → No. 4 Curlew Camp Rd

160 m

6 mins

10m

-30m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the end of Curraghbeena Road[97], the walk follows the ‘Curlew Camp Walk’ sign[98] down the stairs next to the sandstone wall[99] towards the water. at the bottom of these steps the walk comes to a telegraph pole and great unfenced water view[100]. Here the walk turns left and follows a footpath behind the houses[101] then down a few timber stairs cases[102][103]. Here the walk follows the track through the bush to soon head up a few of steps onto Curlew Camp Road where there is a sign pointing back to ‘Walking track to Curraghbeena Road’[104].

(3.22km) No. 4 Curlew Camp Rd → Int. Illawarra St and Curlew Camp Rd

90 m

2 mins

3m

-7m

Very easy

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill along the narrow concrete road[105], keeping the houses to your left. Soon the road leads to an intersection with Illawarra St and some stairs (on your right)[106].

(3.31km) Int. Illawarra St and Curlew Camp Rd → Sirius Cove Reserve

100 m

2 mins

0m

-8m

Easy track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the series of steps and along the footpath beside the children’s playground. The walk then continues across the grassy clearing to the middle of Sirius Cove Reserve.

Sirius Cove Reserve

Sirius Cove Reserve is next to the sandy beach of Little Sirius Cove, Mosman. The reserve is open and grassy, with a few picnic tables, a fenced playground and drinking fountain at the western end, and a toilet block at the eastern end. The beach has no surf and faces south to Cremorne Point. Road access is via Sirius Cove Road.

(3.41km) Sirius Cove Reserve → Bottom of Whiting Beach Rd steps

250 m

5 mins

17m

-6m

Easy track

Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads along the park foreshore with the water to your right, then heads up the hill bending right. The walk follows the footpath below some houses and past a small beach with a two-storey scout hall. Just after the last house, the path comes to a three-way intersection at the start of a large wall/fence. There is a ‘Curlew Camp’ sign pointing back to ‘Sirius Cove’[107].

Easy track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk follows the sign pointing to ‘Curlew Camp’[108], following the footpath beside the tall barbed wire fence and wall. The track leads over a few sections of boardwalk, and soon comes to an intersection (with a track on the right marked with another ‘Curlew Camp’ sign[109], pointing ‘130 metres’.

Moderate track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill following the ‘Welcome to Curlew Camp’ sign. The track quickly turns right, over a boardwalk, then turns left down more stairs. The walk then winds down the hill to the corner of a large rock, just above the water.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down towards the water and onto the wooden platform. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Camp Curlew

Camp Curlew was created in 1890 as an artists’ retreat, as was popular at the time. Artists of the day would visit for long periods (although women were not permitted to stay overnight), enjoying the surrounds and painting some of Australia’s most prized works. Arthur Streeton is a notable artist who stayed at the camp. The site was less than rustic, with tents to accommodate billiards and dining, and also a hired cook and youth to help with odd jobs. Camp Curlew was abandoned after the siting of Taronga Zoo in the area in 1912.

Moderate track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the fenceline, with the water below on the right of the track. The walk heads along large sections of boardwalk with a tall barbed- wire fence above on the left. After approximately 300m, the track turns left above a small beach and then after the beach turns right. The walk continues along the hillside, with the tall fence on the left, then heads up boardwalked steps and passes a building on the left before crossing the cul-de-sac to Taronga Zoo wharf.

Maps for the Cremorne Point to Taronga Zoo walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-cremorner-cpttz
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-cremorner-cpttz
Forecast snapshot